Glenn-UK

Possibly, but I have no experience with shellac. My thoughts are you just need something which is clear when dry and will provide some level of adhesion when as it dries.

It works well, pe parts can be adjusted when first positioned and no nasty ca overspill issues

Build Log – Post 32 (29th Dec 2025) Task 53 – Hull Decorations I have now started to add the PE decorative patterns to the hull. I am coating each section of the hull with a thin coat of polyurethane varnish. I then wait for a few minutes to allow the varnish to get tacky before placing the PE pattern in place. Once the pattern has been positioned and being held in place by the varnish, I then apply a top coat of varnish. So far, this method seems to be working really well. Photos

Thanks

Build Log – Post 31 (24th Dec 2025) Task 51 – Upper Stern Counter Over the last few days I have been adding the various items to the upper stern counter. The first task was to add the white painted window frames. Next the window surround PE part was added. This had been painted gold with a white crest. The next item to fit was the 3D printed surround. The part was soaked in hot water for 15 seconds and then clamped to the stern counter for 1 minute so the bend could be added. The bent part was then dropped in cold water to cool off. The part was then painted imperial blue. Once the paint had dried the various raised shaped were painted gold. Once I was happy with the painted part it was added to the upper stern counter. Next I added the various rails, which had been painted gold. Finally, the final PE pattern, which had been painted white was glued beneath the upper rail. As can be seen in the photo below a little bit of paint touch up work is still required. Task 52 – Figurehead The figurehead has now been painted and test fitted.

Build Log – Post 30 (19th Dec 2025) Task 50 – Upper Stern Counter Once the wales had been glued place I moved on to adding the upper stern counter pattern which was a relatively straightforward task. I did apply the red paint before this part was glued to place. Task 51 – Test Fitting Hull PE Patterns The main cabin decorative window comprises two PE parts. I had previously sprayed these parts with gold paint. The lower PE part window frame area then needed a red outline and window frames painted white. Using the pin holes to correctly align these two parts (not glued for the time being) a test fit was undertaken. I was happy with how this looks. I then glued the 4 off window frame PE parts to the side windows and test fitted the window surround patterns. Again, everything looks good. I will need to fill the gaps in the planking Next I decided to test fit the gun port surrounds. With these decorative patterns temporarily in place the build is starting to look like a royal ship fit for a duchess.

Build Log – Post 29 (17th - 18th Dec 2025) Task 49 – Painting the Hull I went off the reservation with this task *** the build instructions are to leave it a plain wood finish above the water line and a painted white hull below the waterline. This is exactly what I did with my previous DOK build and it does look great. However, on this build I decided to experiment with a different paint finish. I really like the Plasti-kote Red Oxide finish I have used on some previous build. I also liked having a thin white band for the waterline. With the waterline drawn I added some masking tape above and below the waterline and added a white band. After a couple of coats of white paint, the tape was removed. A new thin strip of tape was then placed oved the painted waterline. I then added three coats of red oxide paint below the water line. I opted to decant the paint from the spray can and apply with a paint brush. I also added a different paint finish above the water line (leather). The finished paint scheme is shown below. Whilst it may not be in keeping with how ships of this period looked I quite the colour scheme, noting it may not be to everyone’s taste. This paint scheme is probably more common for fishing boats. Next task will be to add the wales.

Build Log – Post 28 (16th Dec 2025) Task 48 – Main Rails and Gunwales Adding the main rails has been a bit of nightmare as I made a schoolboy error by applying a coat of tung oil to the hull. This meant that when I was ready to add the main rails it was difficult to get the to hold, once dried. The rails are now in place and hopefully they will now stay in place. Next the gunwales were added. They were painted black before they were fitted. Once fitted I decided to paint the upper bow and stern rail black. Photos Current status of the build Bow area main rails Midships main rail Stern area Gunwales

Build Log - Day 27 (10th & 11th Dec 2025) Task 46 – Ships Wheel My time in the shipyard is very limited this week therefore I am tackling some small tasks such as the ships wheel assembly. The ships wheel is made up from 5 PE parts which were glued together, using a 1mm rod to ensure everything was aligned. Next the cable drum assembly, comprising three wooden parts were glued together, once again using a 1mm rod to ensure everything was aligned. I then painted the drum and ship wheel a dark walnut colour, as can be seen below. The two end panels have nice some laser-etch lines and I decided, as this is a royal yacht, to embellish these with some paint. In the photo below I have taped the two panels so the centre section can be painted royal blue and the second photo shows the end result, noting I had already added black paint the top section. In the next set of photos more tape is used so I could add a red outline to the blue insert. More tape was then added so the external edges of the panels could be painted dark walnut. Test fit of the ship wheel assembly, noting the ship wheel assembly has not been glued together Task 47 – Main Rail Thoughts Before I glue the main rails in place I thought I would experiment with some different finishes. This is the current natural wood finish. It looks Ok but I think it would look better if it were a bit darker in colour. Gold, look nice but I am not convinced this is the best option but would fit in with the opulence of a royal yacht. Leather, this looks OK but I am not sure this colour really complements the red and blue. Dark Walnut, again looks OK but I think it is too dark.

Thanks Geordie

Build Log - Day 26 (9th Dec 2025) Task 45 – Mid Deck Bulkhead The first task today was to start preparing the various PE parts for the main rails and mid deck bulkhead. After cleaning I sprayed a white primer to the PE sheets. Once the paint had dried, I taped over the items which will be painted white and then sprayed the paints with a brilliant gold paint. The mid-section bulkhead comprises to wooden patterns which need to be glued together. However before doing this I embarked making this bulkhead fit for a Duchess. I painted the top section of the rear pattern royal imperial blue and the lower section walnut brown. The upper most pattern had a more complex painting scheme. The window section was painted black. The outer framework was painted red. The outer and inner door framework sections were also painted red, and the middle section was painted walnut brown. The door was painted imperial blue. Finally, I added a walnut brown finish to the frames for the 4 off inner door decorative panels. With the painting complete the two sections were glued together. I then added two eyebolts fitted with rings for the door handles (painted black). The window frames and window decorative patterns were then test fitted. I am really pleased with how this panel now looks and feel it was worth the time and effort taken. The right-hand window frame was dislodged when positioning the panel for the attached photo so it is slightly askew but will be fixed in place when the frames are glued. The door hinges also need to be added, which I have painted black. There is also a decorative gold painted PE part to add above the door frame.

With the introduction of 3D printed parts more depth can be added. For example, there is a nice 3D printed pattern which is added the stern with this kit

Build Log - Day 25 (7th & 8th Dec 2025) Task 45 – Main Rails Prep Work I am currently doing some more prep work this time related to the main rail patterns as it is important to get a good fit with these decorative patterns. When test fitting the main rail it can be seen that stern frame counters still need to be trimmed so they are flush with the end of the main rail. I marked the end position of the main rail pattern on the hull and then with the patterns removed, using some different grit sanding sticks, the stern frames were sanded to the marked lines. I did manage snap off the four dangly bits from the two rear window shapes on the right-hand main rail pattern when removing the laser char so it may take me a bit of time to sort out before that part can be fitted. After carefully removing the laser char the bow main rail patterns they were soaked in hot water and then clamped to my bending jig (see earlier posts regarding the jig). Once the patterns had fully dried (after 18 hours) they were test fitted and were a good fit. The next set of photos shows the test fit of the main rail patterns. They do look nice. I will have to trim the bow section of the lower main rail patterns, so they fit flush with the stem post. The bow gunwale patterns did need a slight adjustment to the curve at the bow end, so they accurately follow the curve of my hull. The patterns were soaked in hot water for 30 minutes and then clamped to get the required new curve. Once the clamps were removed I was happy with the fit. I also test fitted the midship and upper deck gunwales and I was happy with how they looked. I am also adding a slight lateral bend to the rear section main rail so it follows the curve of the hull, as can be seen below.

It is AK11180 Imperial Blue, acrylic. The red is AK11092 Matt Red acrylic. The wood colour is Admiralty paints AP9119W (walnut). Not sure why I said oak and I have updated my post accordingly.

Build Log - Day 24 (5th & 6th Dec 2025) Task 44 – Painting The Hull The first task was to apply a WOP finish to the hull, inner bulwarks, stern counter and decks. I used a 50 / 50 mix of Rustins Clear Satin polyurethane and white sprit for this. Two coats were applied. Next the gunport oval openings were painted blue. Tape was attached to the inner bulwarks to prevent leakage. Next the hull was taped up so the blue band could be painted. I brushed on 4 coats of diluted blue paint. The tape was then removed and new tape added so the red paint band could be added. I brushed on 4 coats of diluted red paint. The lower stern counter was also painted blue. Photos Gun Ports Painted Hull taped and ready for the blue paint Hull after blue paint has been added Hull taped and ready for the red paint Hull after red paint has been added. Rails will be added which will hide and paint overspills between the colours. Stern counter painted. Rails will be added which will hide the paint overspills with the hull below the stern counter. Testing different wood-coloured paints which I might use on the hull. I am currently drawn toward the right hand walnut wood colour.